Humans kill Asiatic black bears for their gall bladders and other body parts used in traditional medicines. They may also be preyed upon, especially when young or old, by other top level predators, such as tigers, that live in the same habitat.

Social Organization

Asiatic black bears live and hunt alone except for mating pairs and females with cubs.

Life Cycle

Bears reach sexual maturity at about three years of age. After summer mating, the development of the fetus may be delayed until food resources are optimal. After a gestation of seven to eight months one to three cubs are born in trees or caves. The blind, helpless cubs weigh about eight ounces (227 g) at birth. They open their eyes at about one month. By two months they will follow their mother to forage for food. The cubs stay with their mother until about two years of age when she will cast them away. The reported lifespan of the Asiatic black bear in the wild is about 24 years. In captivity, they can live as long as 33 years.

Adaptations

Up a Tree

Asiatic black bears have strong, curved claws up to two inches (5 cm) long and strong forelimbs that aid in climbing trees and digging for food. Their paws do not have fur. The bare foot pads aid in climbing trees to reach foods such as acorns, chestnuts, walnuts and fruits. Trees also provide safety for bears especially cubs.

Check out These Teeth

Bears are the only large predators that regularly eat both meat and plants. They have large canines and smaller pointed incisors to help catch and kill prey as well as flat grinding molars in back for chewing plant material. This species of bear is more carnivorous than its American counterparts.

Scare Tactics

Asiatic black bears have a ruff of longer hairs around their face and neck. The longer hairs make them appear larger and may help fend off attacks from predators. The bright white marking on their chest provides a startling display when they stand upright and may also help prevent attacks.

Conservation Connection

IUCN Status: Vulnerable.

Asiatic black bears are endangered due to habitat fragmentation and loss and poaching for their gall bladders, meat, bones and paws. These bear parts are used in traditional Chinese medicines. Asiatic black bears are sometimes killed because they damage valuable trees and sometimes kill domestic livestock. It is not known how many bears still live in the wild.